Dein erstes Forum » dd The injury does present an opportunity for Buffal

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Memphis Grizzlies are showing a knack for closing out tight games against the Oklahoma City Thunder. All thats left to prove is whether they can finish off a playoff series thats been nip and tuck throughout and move on to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history. In each of the first three games of the series, the go-ahead bucket was scored in the final 2 minutes. Then Game 4 went to overtime, with Memphis winning 103-97 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series and put the Thunder on the brink of elimination. Game 5 is Wednesday night in Oklahoma City. "Its not like any of the games that it was handed to us. Every game has been right down to the last 2 minutes," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said Tuesday as both teams took the day off. "That gives you hope." For Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City, a once-promising season now comes down to desperation time. Without injured All-Star Russell Westbrook, the Thunder need to win three in a row if they hope to reach the West finals for a third straight season or make their second straight trip to the NBA Finals. For his career, Durant is 1-3 when facing elimination. The only win came in Game 7 against Memphis two seasons ago in the West semifinals. "One thing about Kevin, hes going to come back and give everything he has," Brooks said. "Hes not an excuse guy. Hes not going to blame anything on nobody, other than put the pressure on himself to perform every night. Thats what makes us a good team, because of that attitude that he has." Durant has had to do it all since Westbrook had knee surgery prior to Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs. Hes averaging 30.8 points, 11 rebounds and 6.8 assists in this round, and also hit all the key shots down the stretch in the Thunders Game 1 victory. But over time, Memphis -- the leagues top defensive team in the regular season -- has made it harder for Durant to excel with the game on the line. After going 10 for 16 from the field with 22 points in the fourth quarter of the first two games, Durant has gone 3 for 17 and scored seven points in the fourth quarter in Games 3 and 4 plus overtime on Monday night. His shooting percentage in crunch time has gone down in each game. "Weve just got to find a way to make those plays. Were playing hard every day. Its just not going our way," Durant said. "We just have to get ready for Game 5. Its at home, so it should be exciting. Im looking forward to it." While Oklahoma City is at risk of bowing out, the Grizzlies are one win away from the next big step in their progression as a franchise. Before this season, they had won only one post-season series, against San Antonio in 2011. "Its still a game. Still we have to play another game, and we have to win another game. Theres no greater magnitude," coach Lionel Hollins said. "Its just a game that we have to go out and play well to win. Its just like when were down 0-1, just like when we were 1-1, just like when we were 2-1. It never changes. Its a game that has to be played to the best of your ability and the winning and losing takes care of itself." With two teams that have been so closely matched, there dont figure to be any more major adjustments at this point. Brooks was happy with his decision to have power forward Serge Ibaka guard 7-footer Marc Gasol instead of counterpart Zach Randolph, given that Ibaka emerged from a shooting slump for 17 points and 14 rebounds. "I think it loosened him up, just his mind, so he can focus on what he does well. We need his scoring, we need his shooting and I thought last game was good," Brooks said. "Hopefully we can get it again." It still wasnt enough to change the final result -- the third straight Memphis win by exactly six points. "As hard as they came out on us (Monday) night, theyre going to come out even harder when they get home. Its desperation for them," Hollins said. "And we cant anticipate or think that its going to be an easy game. We have to go out and be ready for a heavyweight battle." Brooks said the three straight losses havent changed his teams mindset, which remains "we expect to win and if we dont, itll be disappointing." And he doesnt want the win-or-else mentality to create mounting pressure on his players. "The pressure is not to make every shot. The pressure is just to compete as hard as you can for your team, and wherever that takes you, you live with it," he said. "I think our guys are ready to commit to one more great effort game, and were looking forward to it." After the loss Monday night, Brooks had a light-hearted moment and mentioned knowing that theres a barbecue festival in Memphis on Friday, when Game 6 would be played. "We want to be able to win in front of our home fans and have another game in Memphis and see what we can do there. I like our ability to come back in tough situations, within games and even to the next game. This is obviously not the greatest position to be in but we still have a chance to be a part of history," Brooks said. "Theres not a lot of teams that have come back from 3-1 but we have the talent, we have the teamwork, we have the effort and teamwork to do Wholesale Air Max . Fernandez, coached in Toronto by former two-time Olympic silver medallist Brian Orser, scored 267.11 points and is the first champion to successfully defend since Russias Evgeny Plushenko in 2005 and 2006. Discount Air Max . Tevez, who has had conflicts with coaches in the past, has not been called up since Sabella was named coach in 2011. Argentina boasts Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria. https://www.airmaxchina.us/ . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. Air Max From China . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Replica Air Max . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson left practice after injuring his left hamstring Friday morning. Johnson, Buffalos top receiver, pulled up on a route during a red zone drill two hours into practice. He was evaluated by Buffalos training staff and walked slowly to the locker room assisted by two people. Bills coach Doug Marrone said after practice that he did not know the severity of the injury and that Johnson will be evaluated by Buffalos doctors. "It would be a major concern when we talk about it during the season, but right now, I think a veteran player that has proven himself, well just see what the doctors say and it is what it is," Marrone said. "Well deal with it from there." Johnson has had some issues with injuries in recent years. He missed several spring practices due to a back injury and underwent groin surgery last off-season. Any prolonged absence would be a concern as Buffalo tries to establish a fast-paced, up-tempo system under new offensive co-ordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Johnson is the teams only established receiver and has had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Last yyear, he led the Bills with 1,046 yards receiving.dddddddddddd The injury does present an opportunity for Buffalos young receivers. The Bills took Robert Woods 41st overall and Marquise Goodwin 78th overall in the draft, and both have enjoyed strong training camps thus far. Goodwin had the play of the day to finish practice on Friday, streaking down the left sideline for a 60-yard touchdown pass from rookie QB EJ Manuel. Woods has impressed with his precise route-running and is the favourite to land the No. 2 receiver job. "I look at it as an opportunity to get those younger guys more reps," Marrone said. Tight end Mike Caussin also left practice Friday with a hip injury. Caussin missed all of last season due to a torn ACL. The news was better for standout pass rusher Mario Williams. Williams is nearing a return to practice after missing the start of camp due to a sore foot. "Its getting closer," Marrone said of Williams. "He did a little bit more today, hes going out there, going through the walkthrough, so now were just waiting for the doctor to release him and then hell be going out there." ' ' '